A bill Thursday passed the Tennessee Senate that would allow patients to obtain a commonly-used drug over the counter.
SB 2188 “authorizes ivermectin suitable for human use to be sold or purchased as an over-the-counter medication in this state without a prescription or consultation with a pharmacist or certain other healthcare professional.”
Ivermectin, a widely used anti-parasitic, has been the subject of hot debate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the failure of the federal government to authorize the use of any therapeutics to treat patients with COVID-19, instead of choosing to push vaccines as the only solution to the deadly virus, some Americans turned to Ivermectin.
But many were denied prescriptions – even by pharmacies – when they sought to treat themselves with the drug.
The bill, introduced by State Senator Frank Niceley (R-District 8), would allow anyone to obtain the drug without approval from a doctor or pharmacist.
Whether Ivermectin works in fighting COVID-19 has never truly been established, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is against its use, despite the fact that the government agency itself has deemed the drug safe for humans with other medical conditions.
In fact, Ivermectin won a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2015.
“The FDA has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals,” the FDA’s website says. “Ivermectin is approved for human use to treat infections caused by some parasitic worms and head lice and skin conditions like rosacea.”
The FDA contributed to the false narrative that Ivermectin is solely a “horse dewormer” (it is also used in much higher doses to treat parasites in livestock) which led to the ostracizing of people who used it to fight COVID-19.
“There seems to be a growing interest in a drug called ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in humans,” the FDA said. “Certain animal formulations of ivermectin such as pour-on, injectable, paste, and “drench,” are approved in the U.S. to treat or prevent parasites in animals.”
One group of doctors has staunchly supported the use of Ivermectin, even in the face of disavowal by their peers.
Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance, a group of doctors who have been ostracized from the rest of the scientific community, tracked research about the drug.
“Moderate-certainty evidence finds that large reductions in COVID-19 deaths are possible using ivermectin,” one paper they cite on their website said. “Using ivermectin early in the clinical course may reduce numbers progressing to severe disease. The apparent safety and low cost suggest that ivermectin is likely to have a significant impact on the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic globally.”
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Frank Niceley” by Tennessee General Assembly. Background Photo “Ivermectin Tablets” by Bundesministerium für Finanzen. CC BY 2.0.
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big pharma continues to rake in the money.
Read the actual bill language carefully, not just the summary. The bill language says that ivermectin can only be provided “pursuant to a valid collaborative pharmacy practice agreement” which describes an agreement that has to be entered into between pharmacies and doctors suggesting that it’s not like we are going to be able to buy ivermectin off the shelf like we can buy tylenol.
no one needs it unless they have worms.
I had heard Susan Lynn interviewed by MPL and she said that a confirmed positive test would be needed and that it wasn’t like Ivermectin would be available like say Tylenol. It would not require a script but would be held behind the pharmacist counter. I think that is so the dosage amount can be determined based on weight and also to determine there would not be adverse effects if the person requesting Ivermectin was taking other medications. As I said previously, I think some of the major pharmacies may not carry Ivermectin so I’d just check with a compound pharmacy. They are independent.
I did find out this passed in the House also. Wait to see if Governor signs or lets it pass by not signing in the wait period. From my understanding in taking Ivermectin there are 2 meds that if you are taking will have an adverse effect. Plus the dosage is based on weight. Since it will be law the pharmacies can’t refuse to sell to you. However, they could refuse to carry it I’d guess. But I think you could go to a compound pharmacy which are independently owned and will more likely service the product.
I hope ivermectin really does become available over the counter because it is definitely a lifesaver.. It is safer than Tylenol. The only medication it can interact adversely with is anti-rejection transplant drugs. If someone is on warfarin/ blood thinners, they have to be careful. Ivermectin has anticoagulant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, & anti-cancer properties.
It probably does work, but woke “medical authorities” and big pharma will certainly not be giving up their ill-gotten power and money scheme that easily – so good luck being able to actually find appropriately packaged Ivermectin.
Better late than never.
This is good news. Now where is the bill in the House? There’s more than just Front Line Doctors who believe that Ivermectin along with zinc are a theraputic alternative especially if taken early in contracting the Wuhan Flu. This manmade virus isn’t going away and the shots do nothing to prevent contracting the Wuhan Flu.